Practice Set 2G.4

For each of the numbered Physical Science (PS) and/or Life Science (LS) Experiment Cards assigned to you by your teacher, your task is to identify the three types of variables we’ve learned about in class. To review, these are:

Manipulated (or independent) variable
This variable is what a scientist intentionally chooses to manipulate, change, or alter prior to the start of the experiment.

Responding (or dependent) variableThis variable is what a scientist expects will respond–whether positively or negatively–to their manipulation. It is one of the variables that a scientist must attentively observe–and usually measure–during the experiment.

Controlling variables (or constants)Those variables that a scientist needs to keep the same–or constant–while the experiment is happening to ensure a fair test. Like the responding variable, the controlling variables must also be attentively observed–and usually measured–during the experiment.

DIRECTIONS for STUDENTS

1) Select the Experiment Card (or cards) assigned to you by your teacher by using the links below.

2) Print the Experiment Card (or cards).

3) Use the remaining white (empty) space found on the lower half of the printed page to identify the manipulated (or independent) variable, responding (or dependent) variable, and 1-3 controlling variables (or constants). You may abbreviate these three different types of variables as MV, RV, and CV1…CV3.

4) Use short, descriptive phrases (3-6 words) to identify the three main types of variables found in this experiment.

5) Be sure to put your Student number and the date in the upper right hand corner of your paper before giving the completed exercise to your teacher. Your work will be evaluated according to a grading rubric that you can view HERE.

Time travel is possible…

Time travel is possible…

About the Site

What Dr. Merritt sees when he looks in a mirror

Although this site primarily aims to assist and support middle and high school science students and teachers, others are more than welcome to peruse (and use) it, of course. The design, content, and maintenance of SCIENCEsEDiment.com is the work of Brett Merritt, Ph.D., who encourages all site visitors to understand deeply, think critically, act creatively, pursue passionately, relate ethically, & use wisely. Dr. Merritt is an American educator and researcher who lives and works in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland (Ticino).